Chapter 11
[Rancho de la Vega—10:30 AM]
Diego hustled back into the hacienda. Concern forced him to put off his poem. The Alcalde's sarcasm grated on his ears. De Soto does like his games. He shook his head. The three strangers pass through the pueblo. Then we are to receive this official's visit? He strode through the living room and toward his own bedroom. He set his paper and pen on the desk therein.
A male teenager dressed in white awaited him back in the living room. He signed a greeting with his fingers.
"Si. I'm terribly sorry I did not greet you, Felipe." Diego ran his hand through his hair. Details spun through his mind. "I did not have the morning I expected."
Felipe's fingers moved through more sign language.
"I did get to the Rancho and the tavern. It was most curious." Diego rubbed his chin. His eyebrow arched. Seeing another signed response, he continued. "While I rode into the pueblo, three men followed me at a discreet distance. They came into the tavern and ordered some chili from Victoria. They even paid for Sergeant Mendoza's meal."
Felipe shrugged. He signed another response.
Diego shook his head. "No they spoke with Victoria and me. They are on their way to Tucson. I just cannot put on my finger on it. Everything was fine. There is something about them. I would like to make sure they are our friends. I think Zorro should introduce himself to them." He looked about the area. "Have you seen Father?"
Felipe shook his head.
"I wonder where he is? I'll need to check on him later." Diego walked over to the fireplace. He ran his hand under the fireplace's shelf. "I will be right back."
A hidden panel opened toward the back of the fireplace.
Diego edged around the metal grate and into the passage behind it. He descended the granite stairs into the cave below.
Toronado whinnied at him.
"We have some travelers to check on, Amigo." Diego changed into his dark shirt, pants and boots. He knotted his mask at the back of his head. His hat rested atop his head. He draped his cape over his shoulders and tied it just beneath his throat. His belt, sword and whip went around his waist.
The black Andalusian perked his ears. He grunted.
"Si. They seemed like amigos. It cannot hurt to make sure. We have a guest coming from Spain." Zorro hefted the heavy leather saddle onto Toronado's back. The bridle went on next. He mounted his friend's back. "I saw them on the road from Rancho Henche. We should start there." He steered his friend out of the stall and onto the hidden lever release in the cave floor.
In front of them, the cave wall lifted up.
"¡Vamanos!" Zorro urged Toronado onward.
Toronado sprinted from the cave and across the grass plains beyond. He veered left. His long legs' strides devoured the distance between the ranchos.
Purpose guided his pace…at least until he saw a certain wagon on the road.
Zorro shook his head. He turned Toronado in that direction….
[A Half an Hour Earlier—Tavern Victoria]
Victoria wiped the counter down. Elation warmed her over the chili's success. She felt content with the day's flow. She knew that Pace would remain at a dead crawl from that point onward. Her mind turned back to Buck, Pedro and Sam. Charity's act toward Mendoza had predisposed her toward a good outlook. She appreciated their manners and respect toward her.
Not everyone would share the same view….
Mendoza will let it slip about them. The Alcalde will want them in the jail. If I warn them, they can leave for Tucson before the Alcalde can find them. She took off her apron. "Lucinda?"
"¿Si?" Lucinda stuck her head out of the back room. She wiped her hands on a towel. "Lavé los platos y las tazas, Señorita."
"I will be back. Hasta luego." Victoria hustled out the door. She glanced around to make sure the Alcalde and the lancers remained out of sight. She slipped around the tavern's side and down the alley.
A spotted black and white horse grunted at her. She munched on some hay. Her ears perked at her mistress' approach.
"Jazmín, vamanos." Victoria climbed up onto the wagon seat. She urged Jazmín around the back of several buildings and through the pueblo's exit. She pressed down the road. Anxiety pushed her eyes to glance back toward the pueblo.
Not a soul could be seen behind her.
I cannot believe this! She frowned. What is it about them? They seemed like anyone else. She bit her lip. She had yet to see any trace of a camp or fire along the way. Doubt started to nag at her. "Maybe they're already gone?"
Hoofbeats echoed in her ears.
She glanced to her left. Her shoulders tensed. Pursuit now seemed to threaten her effort.
"Victoria? What are you doing here?" Zorro rode up beside her. He slowed Toronado's pace to match Jazmín's.
She raised an eyebrow. "I am trying to warn three of my customers. I do not want the Alcalde causing trouble."
He conceded a nod. "Don Diego asked me to check on them as well. We do not know if they are dangerous. They could be more of them. I wished to know."
"Well we can both do that." She arched an eyebrow. "I can introduce you to them. Besides it's not like you mind being with me. Do you?"
He rolled his eyes. "I want you to be careful. ¿Entiendes me?"
"Si." She frowned. "But I will not let you ride in there by yourself either. You will be outnumbered."
"I can deal with three men, Victoria." He patted the sword's handle. "You know I have my eyes open."
"Then do that." She started Jazmín back down the path.
He shook his head. Victoria! He ground his teeth. Frustration burned at him.
Toronado whinnied.
"You are not helping, Amigo. Vamanos." He started them down the trail. Within minutes, he'd caught back up to Victoria and Jazmín. "We will start at Rancho Henche. That is the best available shelter."
She nodded and maintained her course.
The duo hoped their answers would be there….